Sewanee - The University of the South
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

The Board of Trustees is the highest governing body. It has 150 members drawn from the owning dioceses of the University, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and at-large members. In addition, all levels of staff are included and represented in the Staff Partnership Council (SPC) - it is comprised of one hourly (non-exempt) and one salaried (exempt/non-exempt) staff member from each department/office across the institution. This means that employees from the custodial level through a program director are represented. In addition, there is equal representation from exempt and non-exempt employees. The SPC's mission is to promote 2-way communication (top down and bottom up) between all levels of staff and to administration. The SPC manages the election process of the staff trustees (to the Board of Trustees). The staff trustees then serve as ex-officio members of the SPC - we also include them in the SPC advisory group. The advisory group sets the agenda and focus of the SPC. The SPC also manages the staff satisfaction survey process. Additionally, administrators are welome to join SPC meetings as are others by invitation. There are two faculty governing bodies the Joint Faculties which include all College Faculty and School of Theology Faculty and the Faculty Senate whcih includes full professors from both faculties. Finally, the students have the Student Government Association. Each undergraduate class is represented by 5 elected "senators" to represent their needs and concerns to the administration. In addition, the SGA has 10 standing committees and a cabinet which are connected to every aspect of the student experience at Sewanee and ensure the maintenance of active dialogue and collaboration across those sectors.

The Board of Trustees has a committee that holds open meetings twice a year to meet with local stakeholders to hear their concerns about the university and the community. There are also smaller boards for programmatic entities that are open to external stakeholders. There is also the Sewanee Community Council, which is chaired by the President (Vice-Chancellor) of the University and the Provost is appointed, but the council members themselves are directly elected by the local population.

Conversations with the Provost of the University and the Director of Human Resources Development.